Winter in the UK can be beautiful, waking up to a crisp, frosty morning can be magical but the reality of living in a van over winter can be tough. In the UK, winter weather means shorter days, less daylight and colder temperatures which can leave you feeling more sluggish which is why it’s important that your van is a calm, cosy place you can settle into on a cold winters day. A warm refuge from the cold weather outside. This has been our first winter in the van and we have realised that discovering some essential items can make it much more enjoyable. These items have made our lives in the van in winter that little bit easier and cosier! Let us know your winter essentials in the comments.
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Window Vacuum
Even in a well insulated camper van, when you sleep in a van overnight you will experience condensation in the mornings. This is from the warm air you breathe out which reaches the van windows and turns into water condensation. In the summer months, the air temperature is much warmer and the sun will help to dry this moisture. We have tried moisture absorbing bags which help but don’t remove all the moisture on the windows, especially in winter. We also try to leave our windows slightly open to help but we still end up with condensation. One of the best things we have purchased is a water vacuum! Every morning when we get up we will vacuum all the condensation on the windows and it’s all gone within minutes. It’s very satisfying to see it all disappear. The water collects in a clear plastic pot which you can use to water your plants. This is a quick and easy method that we would recommend.
Quick drying towels
In summer, after a day on the beach we could hang our towels up and they would dry no problem after a few hours in the sun. However in the winter, towels take a lot longer to dry, if not really at all if there is no heat. A quick drying towel is a great idea for the winter but also for the summer. We have used micro fibre towels which are much smaller than normal towels and ideal for hiking but we prefer the soft, fluffy towels after having a shower. We found quick dry towels from M&S that are an affordable option and come in some great colours. The design and fabric allows the towels to dry much quicker than normal towels and it even comes with a handy hook which is perfect to hang up!
Diesel Heater
To get a heater installed in your van can be an expensive addition but if you plan to live in it full time or go on winter adventures, from our experience it is a must have option. There are a few different options out there, for example you could install a wood burner but we didn’t have the room and wanted to limit the weight of the van. A diesel heater is what we installed in our van as it takes up a small amount of space and provides dry heat which can instantly warm up the van in the night or chilly mornings.
There are two main diesel heater options, the German made Webasto diesel heater (£1000+) or the Chinese made diesel heater which cost us £100. This diesel heater is connected to our fuel tank which means we don’t have to worry about a separate fuel tank to fill up and uses very little fuel. If your camper van is petrol then you will need to have a separate tank for the diesel heater. The heater is relatively small and doesn’t take up much room which is a bonus and the dry heat helps to reduce condensation. If you don’t have the budget for a diesel heater then hot water bottles are a great alternative.
Hot shower
After a cold winter hike, there’s nothing better than a hot shower. We didn’t have the budget or space when building to install a water heater. However, we came up with a solution for when we would like a hot shower. We boil our kettle and mix with cold water into a bucket using a shower pump. It works really well and you can also use it in the sink if you just want to wash your hair. During the winter many campsites are closed which can make it difficult to find a hot shower if you don’t have one in your van. There are some showers available at motorway services.
Wool blanket
Once the sun sets, the air temperature drops quickly. Even with a thick duvet, layers are key to keeping warm. When the nights have been below 0°C, a wool blanket on top of your duvet can instantly make you feel warmer. Wool resists water and is a natural insulator where it stops the cold from reaching you. A good quality wool blanket will keep you warm and add a cosy feel to the van. So cosy have natural pure wool blankets in beautiful patterns and colours. A sustainable company who is transparent with where they source and manufacture in their country of origin to support the local communities. So cosy only use natural dyes to colour their blankets and the use of only natural fibres is a good thing for the planet as pure wool is 100% natural, renewable, sustainable, biodegradable.
Fairy lights
The best way to give your van that cosy feeling when the sun goes down is warm, golden fairy lights. You may have heard of ‘hygge’ which is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable with the feeling of wellness and happiness. One of the ways they make their homes ‘hygge’ is by lighting candles which makes a relaxing and cosy feel to the space. After a day exploring outside in winter, there’s nothing better than a welcoming space that makes you feel at peace and helps you relax. Candles and fairy lights are a great way to make your van feel welcoming when the sun goes down. We would recommend battery operated candles and fairy lights as candles can be a fire risk if left unattended.
